Chapter 6 already! I just wanted to say thank you all so much for reviewing this story, it means the world to me! And for the ones asking what happened to him, that will come eventually ;)

TMNT

When they pulled out once again, Mikey had stopped crying. Only the red eyes indicating he was ever. He was avoiding any eye contact, too ashamed or just too scared to do so. Raph and Leo exchanged some glanced, both not entirely sure what to do. After a while Leo stepped forwards.

"Mikey.." he softly called out, placing a hand on his shoulder carefully, smiling slightly when Mikey didn't pull away. "If you need anyone to talk about what happened… you have to know where are here for you, you'll never be alone again" He offered.

Mikey slowly nodded, indicating he understood but never even tried to open his mouth. Instead he kept his lips sealed, staying completely silent. Again Leo and Raph exchanged a quick glance, out of all of them, Mikey was the one to talk the most.

Before he disappeared he never knew how to shut up, and would drive anyone crazy in the lair, but right now he wasn't talking, not the slightest word or even attempt to talk. And that worried the brothers a lot, and it only indicated how badly Mikey was hurt mentally.

"Mikey" Leo started after a few moments of silence. "Do you… do you trust us enough to take a bath, I'm sure you'll feel better once you get rid of all the dirt." He explained, gesturing to all the dirt and dried blood on his arms and legs, not to mention the smell.

A flash of true horror crossed his face and within seconds he was heaving again. His eyes were wide and he was desperately trying to clutch to either Raph's or Leo's hand. Raph took Mikey's hand and started to squeeze it slightly.

"Easy Mikey" Raph whispered, stroking Mikey's hand like he would always do to calm him down. "Nobody is going to hurt you, we'll do it like always, you can lean against me okay?" Raph continued, looking towards his little brother.

"I promise Mikey, as long as I'm breathing no one will ever hurt you. Ever." Leo assured his little brother, nudging him close. Mikey whimpered slightly but eventually nodded his head, indicating he was okay with Raph and Leo bathing him, although there was still doubt in his eyes.

"Alright squirt, let's get ya cleaned up" Raph called, trying not to sound too harsh for Mikey as he stood up, offering Mikey a hand. His little brother was hesitant for a while but eventually reached out for his older brother, taking Raph's hand.

Leo threw Mikey's arm over his shoulder, while Raph took the other one and together they carried him towards April's bathroom. If there was one thing that April had pointed out it was that they shouldn't do anything Mikey didn't like, and one of that being carried around.

So even when Mikey's legs were buckling beneath him, struggling to take even the slightest step, not Raph nor Leo attempted to lift Mikey up. The freckled turtle was panting but carried on nevertheless, never even complaining.

After a short walk they reached the bathroom and the brothers slowly took Mikey inside, not bothering to close the door, figuring Mikey could feel trapped because of that. Leo untangled himself from his little brother and walked over to the large tub, turning on the warm water, but not too warm.

"Alright Mikey, just relax okay?" Raph whispered as he slowly took Mikey to the tub, that was quickly filled with hot water. Leo took over Mikey so Raph could slip into the tub himself. The water was the perfect temperature, and Raph couldn't contain a smile himself.

With sloppy movements Mikey climbed into the tub, Leo needing to hold him while he did so, but even the slightest attempt to lift Mikey earned him a hiss already. Eventually he was in the tub and slipped fully in the water, against Raph's plastron, both sitting straight up.

Mikey had his eyes closed and he was shivering heavily, from the fear. "I think he has a bad experience with water" Leo whispered towards Raph as he picked up a soft sponge. "Mikey, I'm going to wash off the dirt okay? Just tell me when to stop" He said, hoping Mikey would actually start talking, but Mikey nodded again.

Raph wrapped his arms around Mikey's fragile body as Leo carefully began to scrub his arms, avoiding the bandages. They stitches were waterproof but the bandages weren't, so they would need to be replaced afterwards.

They were silent as Leo's slowly brushed off all the dirt and dried blood on Mikey's body, revealing the sea green skin they remembered. Mikey whimpered slightly as Leo began working on his head and Leo quickly lowered the sponge.

"What's wrong?" Leo whispered, looking over to Mikey's eyes. "You don't like the water don't you?" Leo asked when he got no response from Mikey. The freckled turtle closed his eyes in embarrassment but slowly nodded.

"Don't be embarrassed little bro" Leo said gently as he tipped Mikey's chin up. "I won't soak it in water, so there won't be too much water, is that okay?" And again, instead of talking Mikey nodded again, the same slow and slightly hesitant nod.

Leo sighed and squeezed most of the remaining water out of the sponge. Whatever they did to Mikey wasn't something good. He always loved the attention, he loved when they gave him a bath but right now he was terrified, for the water to be precise.

Leo shook his head and just continued to wash all the dirt off his little brother, and by the time they were done it was almost like he had never been gone. Apart from the bandages at least. Leo helped him out the tub and wrapped a towel around him, drying him.

"That wasn't that bad" Raph said as he dried himself with another towel. Mikey didn't respond and just looked away when Leo dried him, they did it so many times when they were young, and occasionally when they got older, if one of them would get sick or hurt, but right now Mikey was obviously not comfortable.

"Let's change those bandages okay?" Leo asked as he placed a comfortable hand on Mikey's shoulder. Immediately Mikey tensed and his head shot around, but he could contain a hiss when he saw it was Leo. He relaxed slightly and another slow nod came from him.

Raph and Leo exchanged some glances before they both took one of Mikey's arms, helping him with walking. Mikey's head was lowered as they walked him towards the living room again, settling him on the couch. Raph sat next to him and gently grabbed his right arm while Leo grabbed the medical kit.

"Don't be scared little bro. He won't hurt ya" Raph whispered in Mikey's ear as Leo slowly un-wrapped the wet bandages around his wrists. Mikey started trembling again and he buried his face in Raph's plastron, whimpering slightly but never withdrawing his arm.

He was scared, trembling in Raph's hold as Leo replaced the bandages with clean ones. Never daring to look at the wounds on his arms. Only whimpering whenever Leo touched them, even the slightest touch. Leo swallowed painfully when he replaced every bandage.

April was right about the needle marks, and they seemed to be everywhere on his arm. The area swollen and red, and clearly very sensitive as Mikey whimpered every time Leo touched it, even if it was a very faint touch.

"All done" Leo said and smiled slightly. Mikey slowly lifted his head, revealing the tears streaming down his face. He swallowed uneasily and seemed to doubt for a second before a faint smile appeared on his face, which disappeared not even a second later.

"I think that's enough for today" Leo said when he noticed the tiredness lingering in Mikey's eyes. Mikey nodded slightly and looked down. Raph got the message and stood up, helping Mikey lay down and tugging him in carefully.

A sob escaped Mikey's lips and he quickly turned around, his shell towards Leo and Raph. Raph wanted to reach for him, comfort him but Leo stopped him and shook his head. Mikey needed this, some time alone without anyone interfering.

They were lucky Mikey accepted their help, figuring everything the had gone through, but they couldn't push him, not now. Raph seemed to understand this and nodded sadly, glancing towards his little brother.

"Why won't you talk Mikey?" He whispered, unable for Mikey to hear.